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MSc Project Marking Guidelines

The project is assessed on the basis of a written final dissertation. Dissertations will typically conform to the following format:

• Title page with abstract.
• Introduction : background to the project, previous work, exposition of relevant literature, setting of the work in the proper context.
• Description of the work undertaken : this may be divided into chapters describing the conceptual design work and the actual implementation separately. Any problems or difficulties and the suggested solutions should be mentioned. Alternative solutions and their evaluation should also be included.
• Analysis : results and their critical analysis should be reported, whether the results conform to expectations or otherwise and how they compare with other related work.
• Conclusion : concluding remarks and observations, unsolved problems, suggestions for further work.
• Bibliography.

In addition, the dissertation must be accompanied by a statement declaring that the student has read and understood the University's plagarism guidelines.

Projects should be assessed in terms of a number of basic and other criteria. These are:

• Basic Criteria
  • The problem is clearly stated and the student demonstrates an understanding of the problem.
  • The work is `complete', with a coherent conclusion and evidence in support of it.
  • The quality of the work demonstrates a thoroughness and clarity in approach.
  • The quality of presentation is of an adequate standard, with the arguments well-structured and the English fluent.
• Additional Criteria
  • The student demonstrates extensive knowledge of the literature
  • There is an excellent critical evaluation of previous work
  • There is a critical evaluation of the student's own work
  • There is sound justification of design decisions
  • There is a novel solution of conceptual problems
  • The amount of work undertaken is more than one would expect, in the time available.
• Exceptional Criteria
  • There is evidence of outstanding merit e.g. originality
  • The dissertation includes material worthy of publication in peer-reviewed outlets.

Note that according to the University's marking regulations (see the document Taught Assessment Regulations (PDF), and in particular page 32), a dissertation may be judged satisfactory, as presented and without alteration, despite containing small deficiencies and editorial imperfections.

From October 2012 onwards, it is no longer possible for markers to recommend that marginal fails be resubmitted with minor ammendments. Resubmissions are not permitted unless this has been approved by CSPC on the basis of a case submitted by the College of Science and Engineering. If the Board of Examiners wishes a student to resubmit, a case on the basis of special circumstances needs to be submitted to CSPC as a College-requested concession.

Accordingly, markers should assign projects their marks according to the following criteria:

0-39

The dissertation is fails badly in each of the basic criteria.

40-49

The dissertation fails badly on at least two of the basic criteria and only just achieves the other two. In this case, the student fails the MSc.

50-52

The dissertation is fair on each but one of the basic criteria and fails to meet one of the basic criteria in a very marginal way. The MSc will be awarded.

53-56

The dissertation is at least fair on each of the basic criteria and is fair on at least one of the additional criteria.

57-59

The dissertation is at least fair on each of the basic criteria and is fair on at least two of the additional criteria.

60-62

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair on most of the additional criteria.

63-66

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair and sometimes good on each of the additional criteria.

67-69

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair and most times good or excellent on each of the additional criteria.

70-79

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria.

80-89

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria and also has some elements of the exceptional criteria.

90-100

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria and also shows clear evidence of the exceptional criteria.

Note that the 'completion' criterion, B, covers achievement of the original objectives, achievement of modified objectives or providing convincing evidence that the objectives are unachievable. The 'outstanding merit' criterion, K, includes originality and the excellence of engineering.

Many dissertations will not fit nearly into any category, e.g. strong on additional criteria, but weak on a basic one. In this case, you are asked to trade one criterion off against another as best you can, bearing in mind that failure on a basic criterion is a serious fault.

If you are aware of any mitigating factors which should be taken into account, please do not compensate for them in your assessment but mention them in the appropriate section in your report and indicate the degree of compensation you feel would be appropriate. If you feel that the dissertation does not do justice to the work carried our by the candidate, please make this clear in your report together with an explanation. In any case please give reasons for your overall grading.

In the General Comments section, include a little contextual information as to what the thesis is about, in no more than one sentence or two. Supervisors should also note the extent to which the candidate was self-directed or required close supervision. Highlight original contributions by the candidate or novelty in the project. If the project involved extending existing code, try to estimate how much work was put into the researching the pre-existing background.

It is very important that the comments that you write on the mark sheet are sufficiently informative to justify the mark that you have awarded the dissertation.

You are invited to nominate the dissertation for a prize if you think this is appropriate. Making such a nomination here will allow External Examiners to adjudicate between competing projects.